Disabled freshman chose Ohio State
I am writing in response to Peisan Lee’s article entitled “Disabled Students Say OSU Not Accessible” which appeared in the March 6, 1998, edition of the Lantern. I am a freshman who uses a motorized wheelchair to navigate the campus. While I will agree to that some buildings are in need of renovations, there are many things around this campus that do make it accessible to disabled students. I disagree with John Kent, the individual interviewed in the article. I don’t believe that the responsibility for making accommodations lies completely with the university. As a freshman, I made a choice to attend this university. When I chose OSU, I knew I would need to make some adaptions to get around campus. For example, I now have a motorized wheelchair instead of a manual one. I also take advantage of the Office For Disability Services, which helps to ensure that my classes aren’t in one of the few buildings which are not accessible. On the occasion that a class falls in a building which is not accessible, I have found that the faculty are more than willing to help. In just two quarters at OSU, I have found the campus to be incredibly accessible. No, the elevators may not be right inside the door, or the ramps in the most convenient place, but sometimes you have to learn to adapt. As a few tips for Kent and other disabled students, I have learned to press automatic buttons several times to ensure that the doors will stay open, or use able body parts to open bathroom doors. I feel that the article in the March 6 edition focused only on the things that are not accessible and was told only from a negative viewpoint. I agree that in some situations, it takes a person in a wheelchair longer to get around, but this is usually true no matter where you are. There are obstacles everywhere and it will be that way for your entire life, but the difference is made in the way you see the obstacles. You can spend your life thinking about how things could be different, or the obstacles can make you stronger. I don’t really see accessibility as a challenge at Ohio State.
Emily BrightFreshman
